Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu: Primary Responsibility and Paradox

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:16-18

“I have a primary responsibility to myself; to make myself into the best person I can possibly be. Then and only then, will I have something worthwhile to share. I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.”

Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, also known as Mother Teresa (1910-1997).

When you read this I will have arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, and connected to Tirana, Albania. There I will attend a conference and then do GTP program work to activate another working group to form a peer accountability group like ECFA in USA.

Though my schedule seems crazy sometimes, like yours I am sure, I find that the personal discipline of spending time with Jesus (regardless of where I am) helps me be the best person I can be and also fills my cup with God’s love so I can love others well.

This comes into view as our primary responsibility, especially if we want to exhibit generosity, as it marks the pathway to dispensing abundance. Many people don’t like the “love until it hurts” idea. Such people forget the cross altogether.

Embrace it. Step out of your comfort zone. Love until it hurts. Sacrifice yourself and your resources. You won’t find yourself empty, but rather enriched for greater generosity. And you also find that God replaces the hurt with more love.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

“I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?”

Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, also known as Mother Teresa (1910-1997).

Mark and Maleka are our neighbors on the right. They just had a baby boy. And Michael and Claire on the left. He’s a United Airlines pilot so we talk about flying a lot.

Knowing the name of your neighbor is the first step to loving them. Learn your neighbor’s names today if you don’t already know them. You’ve got to start somewhere.

And say a prayer for me as I fly to Frankfurt, Germany, and connect to Tirana, Albania today.

I will attend a conference and then have GTP program work to grow accountability and generosity in Albania. I’ll share more as the week unfolds.

You belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 1 Corinthians 3:23

“I am Albanian by birth. Now I am a citizen of India. I am also a Catholic nun. In my work, I belong to the whole world. But in my heart, I belong to Christ.”

Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, also known as Mother Teresa (1910-1997).

I am home for 48 hours and celebrating my granddaughter’s second birthday today. Off to Albania tomorrow. So I thought I’d study Albanian saints. And a simple search revealed that Mother Teresa was Albanian.

I loved the last part of her statement: “In my work, I belong to the whole world. But in my heart, I belong to Christ.” I want to echo that. Care to join me?

Only when we live in light of the reality that we “belong” to Christ can we have significant impact like Mother Teresa. We cease living for ourselves and instead we live, give, serve, and love for God.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

“The wider our contemplation of creation, the grander is our conception of God.”

Cyril (born Constantine) the Apostle to the Slavs (826–869).

Jenni and I fly from Vienna to Frankfurt to Denver today. We are thankful. God granted us fruitful ministry in Ukraine, Czechia, and Slovakia.

And over the course of 2+ weeks I have served with my dear friend and brother, Milan Hluchý. His expertise centers in the ecologization of agriculture and I work in the ecologization of ministry.

In plain terms, we understand God’s ordered design and help nurture that environment to foster fruitfulness.

He does it in vineyards and with crops and I do it with churches and ministries. We learned a lot from each other. But the biggest lesson for me linked to the “contemplation of creation” as Cyril put it.

The more we study the creation the more we understand the Creator.

And generosity comes into view because His care for creation is unfathomable. When we match it, we contribute to flourishing and fruitfulness. Is it time for you to get outside for some contemplation of creation?

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

“Death was given by God as a gift to those who had sinned for this purpose: that evil might not remain immortal.”

Methodius (c. 815-885) Apostle to the Slavs, as cited by Ilaria Ramelli in A Larger Hope? (2019) 70.

As I wrap up work in the Slavic world, I wanted to get a last word from Methodius, Apostle to the Slavs.

It offered me word of an unexpected gift having witnessed some of the horrors of war and the darkness of sin and brokenness in recent days. I had never thought of death as a gift that does away with sin.

And I saw this redemptive idea in the meetings in Mikulov, Czechia, taking place in the shadow of Holy Hill (pictured above).

When we put to death our sloppy stewardship, bad management, and disengaged governance, we write a new story and experience new life in church and ministry settings.

On the final day, it has been encouraging to watch the national workers engage in the discussion.

They are identifying the issues in their context that need to die as a first step toward fostering life in the churches and ministries of post-Christian Europe. I think today marks a new future for them.

A working group has formed to establish a peer accountability group for Czechia and Slovakia. Praise the LORD.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1

“Hear my prayer and protect your faithful people, for you have established me as their unsuitable and unworthy servant. “Make your people known for the unity and profession of their faith. Inspire the hearts of your people with your word and your teaching. You called us to preach the gospel of your Christ and to encourage them to lives and works pleasing to you. “I now return to you, your people, your gift to me. Direct them with your powerful right hand, and protect them under the shadow of your wings. May all praise and glorify your name, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Cyril (born Constantine) the Apostle to the Slavs (826–869) in an old Slavonic biography of Saint Cyril.

The GTP meetings are going well in Mikulov, Czech Republic. I turned to Cyril as I have served in Slavic settings for a few weeks and I wanted to see what they might contribute to my current experience.

This prayer not only seemed fitting, it matched my experience to the letter.

I pray for the unity and protection of these people. I want them inspired by the Word of God. I have asked God for this Czechia and Slovakia region, not for my sake, but to return them to God as a gift.

And it’s happening. Keep praying for the birthing of a working group to form a peer accountability group here.

Our setting stands in the shadow of holy hill, on which, Jenni and I walked the Stations of the Cross yesterday with Steve Kerr (GTP Regional Facilitator for South Pacific) and his wife, Kate, before our event started.

May God unite and direct this group with His powerful right hand for His glory.

And join me in giving thanks for one more thing. GTP turns 5 today. Reply for a copy of the “GTP at 5” infographic that celebrates the fruits of five years of service.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

“If the Lord should give you power to raise the dead, He would give much less than He does when he bestows suffering. By miracles you would make yourself debtor to Him, while by suffering He may become debtor to you. And even if sufferings had no other reward than being able to bear something for that God who loves you, is not this a great reward and a sufficient remuneration? Whoever loves, understands what I say.”

John Chrysostom (c. 247-407).

I have suffering on my mind. I experienced it for a short season. Others continue to endure it.

God must have some really awesome stuff in mind for the people of Ukraine because they continue to endure so much suffering. I wonder if He is refining them for a harvest of souls.

And while I was there, I saw both miracles and suffering with my friend Milan.

On our journey, Milan quoted Albert Einstein, who said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

I like this vision that everything around us is a miracle, including the enduring of suffering.

How do you suffer? Sometimes I shine. Often I whine. And I don’t see it as a great reward. I have room for growth here in life after Lent.

What about you? How might our perspective on suffering need to change to become something we welcome for our refinement?

Jenni and I are in Mikulov, Czech Republic, with Gabriel Hakulin, GTP Regional Facilitator for Europe, and his wife Majka, and Steve Kerr, GTP Regional Facilitator for South Pacific, and his wife, Kate.

Today, we will welcome about 25 influential Christian professionals, pastors, and ministry workers for meetings on 2-4 April 2024 aimed at activating a peer accountability group (like ECFA in USA) for Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide every person and every aspect of these meetings for the glory of God and the transformation of ministry administration and governance in Eastern Europe.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

“The rich man is not one who is in possession of much, but one who gives much.”

Basil of Caesarea (339-370) in Homily II, Concerning the Statues.

We observed Easter in Ukraine. It was a rich time with a young couple from the seminary where Jenni taught. The blessed us with hospitality.

Each of us — Jenni, Milan, and me — has received enthusiastic and strategic invitations to return to Ukraine. We pray God will open the door for continued service to receptive people here.

We pray for God to guide us in discerning what to do with these invitations as our lives and our schedules are not our own. They belong to the one who redeemed us with His blood.

After church and lunch yesterday afternoon, we rode a bus from Lviv, Ukraine, to Košice, Slovakia. That was hard. The border crossing took 5.5 hours. We got to Košice at 3:15am.

Today, we connect by train to Bratislava at 11:30am, then to Mikulov, Czech Republic, from 2-4 April 2024, to activate working group to form a peer accountability group here (like ECFA in USA).

In life after Lent, our mindset toward everything should shift. Regarding possessions, instead of focusing on getting we focus on giving. In this light, rich is the person, like Jesus, who gave much.

What does giving “much” look like for you in your life after Lent. Everything has changed with Easter. Now it’s go time! What do you have that you can give to God?

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:1-16https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2020%3A1-16&version=NRSVUE

“If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!

And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!

Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry.
Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!”

John Chrysostom (c. 247-407) in his Easter Sermon (c. 400)

I love this parable and I love this short sermon which celebrates the implications of the resurrection. Whether we have served God all our lives, or a few days, because of the resurrection we can anticipate the Table richly laden.

Three aspects of this parable stand out to me from Ukraine.

Firstly, many have come to faith from the streets. I think of Andrey Kratsev in Kharkiv. He proclaims the gospel despite great of danger. His joy is contagious. Oleg joined him and now runs one of the Hope Relief Centers.

Secondly, the idle have been mobilized. On the front lines, many now build tiny homes, prepare food bags, make trench candles, and more. They have joined God’s team, are growing in faith, and will soon reap their reward.

Thirdly, there is no place for grumbling. God’s generosity toward us in Jesus does not entitle us to anything but a seat at the eternal table. And it should motivate us to fill the empty chairs and be thankful we have a seat.

The punchline of the parable is the best part. It drives this last point home — “the last will be first, and the first will be last” — It means we are all the same before God, sinners saved by His grace and mercy.

Speaking of a richly laden table. I love the food in Ukraine. It has the flavor of love and gratitude.

Wherever you are, invite people to meet Jesus. Mobilize them to serve. And don’t ever grumble because Jesus paid for your ticket with his blood. His victory assures your place. Enjoy the riches of His goodness.

And pray for peace from conflict here and everyone, and for peace on earth only found in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”

Basil of Caesarea (339-370).

Milan and I wrapped up our meetings in Kyiv yesterday with top agricultural officials. Seriously, Milan is a leading agricultural expert in Czech Republic.

He helped explain to them the source of some of their challenges in millions of hectares of crops. They will translate one of his books and invite him back to shape the future of agriculture here. Not a small opportunity.

And we said a warm goodbye to Sasha Volyanyk (GTP Country Coordinator) and Mykola Semenov (a pastor and our driver logging thousands of kilometers behind the wheel).

Today, we travel by train to Lviv to reunite with Jenni who had a great week of teaching. She told me yesterday that the are begging her to return as well. We have done what we could on this trip.

Though war escalates all around us, with sirens sounding on every turn, and the occasional explosion that shakes the ground, we can be tempted to wonder. What difference have I made?

Why serve workers at war? The truth is, we made a huge difference in the lives of those we served. Our role is not to solve all of Ukraine’s problems but to do what we can with what we have.

That’s true for you, reading this wherever you are on Easter Saturday. Don’t focus on what you can’t do or how big the problems are around you. Focus on what you can do. Your efforts are never lost.

I read the Scripture above in the bomb shelter below a church in Kherson. Just as I did, a sound shook the earth and the power went out. No one despaired. In minutes, a generator restored power.

Then we drank coffee together. How? God led them to drill a well only days before the dam was destroyed causing all their water supply to dry up. That well supplied “living water” to the city.

For a short time it was the only water thousands of people could access. They have dispensed over 2,000,000 liters of water from that well. They are doing what they can with what they have. God has used them.

That got me thinking some more. We did make a difference! We sowed love and encouragement in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, and Iprin, and hope in some really hard places like Kherson, Kryvyi Rih, and Kharkiv.

The people thanked us for coming, saying, “No one visits us.” By “no one” they implied no international visitors. They said our presence brought them hope they were not forgotten. So what have we done?

We did something bigger than strategize a sustainable model for schools and churches or than lift up tiny home builders in hard places or supply paraffin for church workers creating candle stoves for soldiers in the trenches.

We sowed the gospel with courtesy and kindness and reaped friendship and love that will last for all eternity. I can’t wait to hear how this was the case with Jenni. And I want to hear it from you who are reading this.

Our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Our good deeds are never lost.

One more story. At our last meal, Sasha’s phone rang. Sasha heard word about a soldier from his church. Prior to the war, that man ran a good business in Poland. When the conflict broke, he came to serve.

The man was actually battling stomach cancer and feared he would not pass his physical. He enlisted in the army and served for more than a year. I saw the look on Sasha’s face.

The call reported that he died in battle on Good Friday. That man did what he could. The question is, will we?